05/16/1961Proceedings of the Civil Service Board meeting held Tuanday, May 16, 1961.
The Civil Service Board mat in regular session Tuesday evening, May 16, 1961, at
700 p.m., in the Civil Service office.
Members present: Chairman George Dalby; Mary Fay Bissell, George Butcher,
R. B. Mauney and Harold Wallace.
Guests: Mrs. Helen Leonard, Mrs. Mazy L. Howell, League of Women Voters; Htirbert
McLendon, Paul Kane, Aubrey Ort, Stanley Szuba, James C. Shaffer, Jr; Attorneys
Harold S. Wilson, Guy L. Kennedy, Jr. and Robert Freeze; Col. James H. Watkins;
Mr. Alex Finch; Arthur Beauchamp, reporter, St. Petersburg Times; Pat Neal, Clear-
water Sun.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Dalby.
Minutes read, meeting of My 2, 1961. Mrs. Bissell suggested that minutes be
corrected to show that only one out of ten applicants passed the Master Gas Fitter's
examination, St. Petersburg. Also, that applicant Lonnie Jones never be hired by
the City of Clearwater. Mr. Mauney proposed that Chairman initial corrections.
Mrs. Bissell concurred. Director pointed out that corrections would be made in
the minutes read the following meeting. Mr. Kane wanted minutes corrected to show
that he is not a member of the Employees' Association executive committee.
Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Bissell then moved that minutes be accepted as
corrected. Carried.
Attorney Robert Freeze had made request that time for him be placed on the agenda.
Mr. Freeze said he would like the record to show that when the investigating
committee visited the Civil Service office May 2, 1961, Commissioner Herbert Fields
dial not participate or look at the records. He was only a spectator. Mr. Freeze
said the primary purpose of investigating any irregularities was to protect Civil
Service. He felt that the Civil Service Act should be rewritten but in the mean-
time, protect the law in effect. He stated, "we should think of Civil Service
first, the employees second and ourselves third, and that if the Civil. Service Board
could see some way of working things out, it would be appreciated." However,
Mr. Freeze did not think anybody could dictate to the City Commission on how these
matters should be handled. He said that the investigating committee could not do
anything without the help of the Civil Service Board and appealed to the Board to
work out something whereby-they could cooperate.
After brief discussion, Mr. Butcher moved that the Civil Service Board rescind its
original stop order made at the previous meeting in regard to an outside investi-
gation and permit the present investigating committee to go ahead. Seconded by
Mr. Wallace. Mr. Mauney was not in favor of rescinding the previous motion unless
certain stipulations were made as to the manner in which the investigation should be
conducted and the committee mention what it is looking for.
Mr. Dalby then presented a Resolution outlining the scope of the investigation.
Mr. Guy L. Kennedy, Jr., City Attorney's office, read resolution 61-47 passed by
the City Commission, giving official sanction for the investigation. Mrs. Bissell
objected to the resolution read by Mr. Dalby on grounds that it did not mention
anything about the committee investigating irregularities in City Hall, but only
referred to investigating records of the Civil Service Board. Mr. Freeze explained
that the intent was to investigate irregularities of both the Civil Service Board
and City Mall. Said he wus in full accord with the resolution and if called upon
to do so, he would recommend to the City Commission that an attorney be provided
for the Civil Service Board.
Chairman then called for vote and Board voted unanimously to rese-Ind action taken
at previous meeting, concerning outside investigaticn.
At this point, Mr. Dalby asked Mr. Alex Finch to speak if he so wished.
a;
%M
a
h
Civil Service Board Minutes, May 16, 1961 Page 2
+. Mr. Pinch thought the present trouble was lack of coordination and urged the
{ Civil Service Board and the City Commission to cooperate. He said the way to
solve such problems was to work with City Hall. Suggested that the Board meet
with the City Manager and department heads to discuss problems. Mr. Finch spoke
at length and challenged the Civil Service Board and the City Commission to live
up to the Civil. Service Act and rules and to end the present investigation.
Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mr. Mauney, moved that the resiution outlining the scope
of the investigation, be adopted. After brief discussion, motion passed unanimously.
Mrs, Bissell then moved that Attorney Harold Wilson be retained to represent the
Civil Service Board at the investigation meetings. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Paul Kane, Public Works Superintendent, asked the Board's opinion as to the
'``.. next anniversary date of salary increase for Street Sweeper Operator, Leroy
Fountain. Following discussion, Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. Butcher, moved that
the anniversary date should be January 24, 1962. Motion carried.
In answer to question of Veterans' credits, the Director stated that these credits
are applicable to all Civil Service and if requested by the veteran in writing.
Reported demotion, Riley Knight, Refuse Driver. Demotion to be permanent unless
?h •??
employee's driver license is reissued and a Civil Service examination taken for
Truck Driver.
Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mrs. Bissell, moved that resignation of W. H. Henderson,
} Parks Department employee, be accepted with regret. Motion carried.
Reported on aPPointments dismissals and requests.
Reported examination held for Jailerf Police Department, May 11, 1961. Fourteen
ks;=' present.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, motion made
and passed to adjourn until, next meeting night, June 6, 1961,
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth E. Brown, Secretary
Approved: i
George H. Dal Chairman
ti